How to Have a Baby Shower When You Live Out of Town

Hold a baby shower even if the expectant mom lives far away.

Expectant moms often live far away from family and friends, making it difficult for their loved ones to share their excitement about the new baby on the way. In particular, throwing a baby shower for a mom-to-be may seem an impossible task. However, thanks to technological advances, even though you may not be able to gather everyone in the same room, there are several ways you can celebrate a new baby through a long distance baby shower.

Things You'll Need

• Video camera
• Webcam

Instructions

1. Organize a baby shower that just the guests attend. This type of shower is like a regular baby shower but minus the expectant mom. A hostess invites guests, decorates for a shower and buys a cake.

   At the party, guests play shower games, share stories about the mom and open her presents. One person videotapes the entire celebration. After the shower, the hostess mails the videotape to the mom, so she can enjoy the shower at her own home.

2. Throw a virtual baby shower. Arrange for guests to mail their shower presents to the mom-to-be's home by a certain date before the shower. Set up webcams at both the hostess and the expectant mom's homes. During the party, everyone can play baby shower games, talk and watch the mom open her gifts.

3. Plan an online baby shower. Create a website for the shower through a free site, such as Facebook, WordPress or TypePad. Include photos of the mom-to-be and a link to her registry. Have guests order presents from the mom's registry that can be mailed directly to her at their convenience.

   Provide a few baby shower games guests can play and encourage them to leave advice, well wishes and other comments on the site. Set an end date for the party, such as a month after the mom's due date.

Tips & Warnings

• Shipping costs can quickly add up with a long distance baby shower. Keep the prices down by comparing costs through USPS, UPS and FedEx. Request guests make a small donation such as $2 toward postage. Encourage lightweight gifts, such as gift cards.

References

• "Ladies Night: 75 Excuses to Party with Your Girlfriends"; Penny Warner; 2008
• "The Everything Baby Shower Book"; Sabrina Hill, et al.; 2008

Resources

• Facebook
• WordPress.org
• TypePad